Going Gray on Top
Looking for a new designer roof color? Take a hint from some of Hollywood's silver foxes — and go gray on top.
"Gray is the 'in' color these days for everything from the hair of sexy actors to luxury cars to homes," says Smith, chief color maven at Sensational Color. "Women openly sigh over the gorgeous gray locks of George Clooney, Richard Gere and Jon Stewart. And I've seen jaws drop on men when they see pictures of Jamie Lee Curtis, Diane Keaton and Blythe Danner. People are embracing gray on top… and this includes the top of the home."
Smith, a trends color forecaster, recommends homeowners consider adding a bit of sex appeal to the luxury roofs on their homes with DaVinci Roofscapes synthetic shake and imitation slate roofing in colors such as light Chesapeake, Smokey Gray, Medium Light Weathered Gray and Slate Gray.
"Grays work so beautifully for the top of the home because they complement nature," says Smith. "A blend of grays on the roof, like those from DaVinci, sets the visual stage for working from the 'top down' to unite the home exterior."
While most homes look great with gray composite roofing, Smith believes that Traditional and New American style homes especially lend themselves to gray tops. (see The Power of Gray)
"The classic aspect of these home designs encourages the use of gray," says Smith. "Sometimes gray looks great as a weathered color, like on composite shake shingles on a cottage style home. Other times the sleekness of a rich, dark gray brings a simple, clean look that's ideal for a contemporary style home."